By Cimara Pearce
CRIME in Brimbank has dropped by 4.7 per cent in the past year, according to new Victoria Police statistics.
The statistics revealed increases in robberies and other crimes including harassment, behaviour in public and weapons offences but indicated mostly decreases in crime in and around the municipality.
The biggest drop for the region was a reduction in motor vehicle thefts of 34 per cent.
Reductions were also recorded on property damage, residential and other burglaries and thefts from motor vehicles.
Region two, division one Inspector Mick Grainger said the results were pleasing but were not an indication that police could relax.
“That reduction (in overall crime) is due to a number of factors, certainly environmental factors may well be part of that but I think the community is more cottoned on to reporting crime and because of that we’re more able to focus more on crime groupings,” Insp Grainger said.
“That number says to me that Brimbank is a safer place to live in this year, however the work is not done.”
Other crimes including harassment, behaviour in public and weapons offences increased by 27.4 per cent in the past year, while robberies and crimes against the person increased by 6.5 per cent and 3.1 per cent respectively.
Drug offences increased by 31 per cent but Insp Grainger said the community should not be alarmed by the figure.
“Thirty-one per cent is a good reflection of positive police work,” he said.
“It’s a good indicator of pro-active police work and a positive reflection of police activity.”
The release of the statistics for the past financial year preceded an announcement by Premier John Brumby that Victoria Police would receive a boost of 120 new recruits.
